Opinion has always been divided about acupuncture, which is snubbed by some members of the public and the medical profession as mumbo jumbo, which has no solid scientific foundation or rigorous proof of its effectiveness.

"Although many in the medical world do not recognize acupuncture, the evidence is increasingly compelling," says Peter Mole, one of the UK's leading practitioners and Dean of studies at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading. Only this month a review conducted by researchers at the center for integrative medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine showed that acupuncture performed on women undergoing fertility treatment may help increase success rates by 65 percent.

Chinese acupuncture, which is several thousands of years old, is based on the theory that the energy, life force or "chi" crosses our body through energy channels called meridians. Illness is thought to occur when an energy passage is blocked, prohibiting energy from flowing harmoniously throughout the whole body. The needles are thus used on the surface of the skin to stimulate the related organs and restore inner balance.

Despite their skepticism, however, some people do turn to acupuncture, often as a last resort after failing to obtain satisfactory results after physiotherapy or other types of western medicine.

"I was extremely skeptical at first," says Corinne Hainsworth, of the bank rating company Rusrating, who was prescribed acupuncture in the Soviet Union many years ago. "I had a frozen shoulder and was unable to lift my arm. I had about 6-8 sessions with one or two needles in my ear and after the second session I already felt movement in my shoulder and by the end it was back to normal. I was very surprised as I thought it was a lot of rubbish."

Some refer to themselves as "reluctant converts," some are amazed at the changes that can be brought about by a few needles.

"In my own case I was amazed," says Helen Womack, a veteran Russia journalist from the UK, who suffered from symptoms indicating cystitis. Anti-biotics prescribed by the doctor did not help her condition. "I thought I'd be an invalid for the rest of my life. In despair I tried an acupuncturist in Scarborough - it was a Chinese chain and the man didn't speak any English." Ms. Womack had three sessions with the acupuncturist, after which she passed a kidney stone. "I was stunned by the result. I think acupuncture certainly won't do any harm, and it can be a wholly pleasurable experience. In future it would be my first port of call. My experience has radically changed my views on acupuncture."

So why do opinions on acupuncture diverge so much despite the success stories? People's lack of trust in Chinese medicine seems to lie in its treatment principles, which are completely different from those of western medicine and do not rest on scientific studies of the human body.

"Acupuncture pre-dates modern science, which is not necessary in order to study it," says Peter Mole. "Our college takes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and no particular expertise in science is required."

"Eastern medicine is based on the principles of energy, the lack or excess of it," says Irina Dyomina, a graduate of western medicine and of acupuncture. "European medicine is based on the notion of nerve endings linked to segments in the spine and to muscles and organs in the body. This said, however, Western and Eastern medicines do not contradict each other - it is just that their approach is different."

Interestingly, acupuncturists working in Russia must be qualified doctors beforehand.